Dear K-LOVE,

 Dear K-LOVE,

We have a love-hate relationship. I love the fact that I can listen to Christian music in pretty much any city in America. That's pretty awesome. I hate the fact that you're all "positive and encouraging" all the time, because let's be real: the Christian life is not always rainbows and giggles. In fact, Christians often need to be reminded about the not so uplifting parts of humanity.

The other day I was driving around town listening to you, per yoush, and your DJ said something along the lines of...

"Do you want to change someone's life today? You just need to be bold! You just need to tell somebody about K-LOVE."

Uhhh what?

No. No, K-LOVE. A radio station doesn't change people. Jesus changes people, not a stinkin' radio announcer or cheesy Christian music. Jesus and only Jesus can save people!!

....Okay, break.....

This was my thought process a few weeks ago when I heard said K-LOVE DJ utter aforementioned words. I mean what in the world was he thinking? Sure, God might use a radio station to turn people to himself but ultimately it's God doing the working, not people calling in to hear Mandisa's good morning song (but let's be honest, it is catchy).

As you've probably gathered, I was preeetty mad when I heard the "challenge" to be bold and tell someone about K-LOVE.

But then I realized that I do the exact. same. thing. with other Christian avenues. 

I think I've done my Christian duty when I invite someone to church or sneak talking about Jesus into a conversation. And if I manage to present an abridged version of the Gospel to someone, I'm really getting some extra stars in my crown (ya know, the kind of conversation where I conveniently don't ask them what they think about what I've said or more importantly how they're going to respond to such bold and powerful truth). When it comes down to it, my ways of "reaching people with the Gospel" take about as much courage as telling someone about a warm and fuzzy radio station.

God has undoubtedly gifted the church with great tools like books and radio stations as avenues to bring people back to himself. But as Christians we often think bombarding people with Christian pop-culture or Biblical principles is enough. In order to evoke real life and heart change we have to help people encounter their Creator and Redeemer. We cannot deceive ourselves into thinking we have pursued someone enough by telling them we go to church or relating an everyday event to the Bible. We are called to help people encounter Jesus, by his grace, and in order to do that, we need true boldness.